• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

To Honor and Protect the Ranching Way of Life

  • Who We Are
    • Why Join
    • Leadership
    • Staff
    • TSCRA Partners
    • FAQs
    • Newsroom
    • Sponsorships
    • Employment
  • What We Do
    • Theft and Law
    • Issues and Policy
    • Education
    • Young Cattle Raisers
    • The Cattleman Magazine
    • Disaster Relief Fund
    • Cattle Raisers Insurance
    • Cattle Raisers Trading Co
  • Events
    • Cattle Raisers Convention
    • Summer Meeting
    • Policy Conference
    • Ranch Gatherings
    • Ranching 101
  • Member Center
    • Join
    • Renew
    • Instructions
  • TSCRA Store
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Jail Time Ordered for Man Who Stole from Deceased Rancher

Booking Photo of William Eugene Smith
Booking Photo: William Eugene Smith

ARNETT, Okla. — William Eugene Smith, 53 of Woodward, will spend five years in prison after he pleaded no contest to four felony charges. The charges and subsequent jail time are the results of an investigation led by Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger Ben Eggleston.
The case began in June 2017 when a then-unknown suspect or suspects burglarized the estate of the late Donnie Johnson in Ellis County. Numerous items were reported stolen from the ranch and residence, prompting an investigation by the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office and TSCRA Special Rangers. A reward was issued through Operation Cow Thief, an anti-theft initiative led by TSCRA, for information leading to the arrest of a suspect or recovery of the stolen property.
Not long after the reward was posted, Eggleston was contacted by an informant with a possible lead on a suspect and the whereabouts of a pickup truck and gooseneck stock trailer stolen from the estate. As a result, the stolen vehicle and trailer were recovered, and Smith was identified as the prime suspect. The investigation yielded additional stolen items, and Smith was arrested by Eggleston and Ellis County Undersheriff Monty Martin Aug. 18, 2017. Smith was booked into the Ellis County Jail where he remained pending trial.
On June 21, 2018, Smith entered a plea of no contest on the four charges that stemmed from the investigation – one count of felony unauthorized use of a vehicle and three counts of felony grand larceny. He was sentenced to 15 years in state prison on each count. The sentences are to run concurrently, with all but the first five years to be suspended.
TSCRA and Eggleston would like to thank everyone involved in the case, especially Ellis County Undersheriff Monty Martin, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Agent Paul Cornett, the Woodward County Sheriff’s Office and all those in the public who came forward with information.
###

Written by:
Jeremy Fuchs
Published on:
August 29, 2018

Categories: News Releases, Special Ranger Activity, Theft & Law

Recent Posts

Texas crop progress and condition for Feb. 6

February 7, 2023

Most of the state received from trace amounts up to 3 inches of precipitation this week with areas …

Continue Reading about Texas crop progress and condition for Feb. 6

Cow-calf Corner: Is it time to re-program your cowherd? 

February 7, 2023

Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist What’s the …

Continue Reading about Cow-calf Corner: Is it time to re-program your cowherd? 

TSCRA Talk Episode 37: Should your ranch be an LLC?

February 7, 2023

Attorney Jim Bradbury joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to discuss the importance of ranching …

Continue Reading about TSCRA Talk Episode 37: Should your ranch be an LLC?

Footer

Who We Are

Why Join
Leadership
Staff
TSCRA Partners
FAQs
Newsroom
Sponsorships
Employment

What We Do

Theft and Law
Issues and Policy
Education
Young Cattle Raisers
The Cattleman Magazine
Cattle Raisers Insurance
Cattle Raisers Trading Co.
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Information

Cattle Raisers Blog
News Releases
Bereavements
Events
Media Kit
Tip Hotline
Get Involved
Links

Membership

Membership Center
Membership Center Instructions
Join
Renew
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

PO BOX 101988
FORT WORTH, TX 76185

1-800-242-7820

© 2023 Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; All Rights Reserved.

COPYRIGHT | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE